Short stories about the lives of the residents of Camden Corners. A village in Upstate New York at the beginning of the 20th Century. You will meet old friends time and again and new friends and neighbors with each story. Share the many tales of love, romance, family and friends as well as a few mysteries thrown in for good measure.
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Monday, January 7, 2013

A Goodhearted Fellow

Chapter 43

Goodhearted
Fellow

Brad was not surprised to hear his old friend Woody
Malone tell him he was dying. Woody didn't speak of it often, but
Brad knew his heart had been damaged when he was a youngster after
contracting rheumatic fever.

“How much time do they give you, Woody?” Brad asked
solemnly.

“I don't know how much time I have left. I can feel
myself getting weaker all the time.”

“What do the doctors say? Have you gotten a second
opinion?”

“What are you talking about? I didn't think it was
necessary to go to a doctor. I'm surprised I lasted this long.”

“What in the world are you saying? You haven't been
to a doctor, you are just predicting your own death. Are you crazy
man?”

“Look, Brad. I accepted my fate years ago when Dr.
Pike told my mother I would be lucky if I made it to my teens. He
said my heart was damaged beyond repair. I never bothered to see a
doctor after that. If there was nothing to be done for me, why
bother?”

“Woody, you have to know what progress has been made
in recent years. Surely you've heard of heart procedures and
transplants. Do you have a death wish?”

“No, of course not. I guess I just figured I was a
goner. Do you suppose there is a chance they could do something
about my heart?”

“I think it's worth checking into.”

He went to the door and called Samantha. The children
were back to watching their movie and eating popcorn.

Samantha wasn't totally surprise that Woody had not seen
a doctor in years or that he believed what he'd heard when he was
young. She had heard of similar cases where a child heard a dire
prognosis and accepted their fate without question.

“I'm going to call Dad right away. He will be able to
evaluate your problem and refer you to the best doctor,” said
Samantha.

Samantha smiled at him and picked up the phone. “Hi
Dad, any chance you could see a friend of Brad's first thing in the
morning?” Samantha filled Joe in on Woody's history.

“Sounds like he could use a medical opinion. Have him
come by the office around 9:30, I should be finished with rounds by
then.”

“You are all set for tomorrow morning. My dad will
check you out and set you up with the heart clinic. They perform
miracles every day and I have a feeling they will help you, Woody.”

“How can I thank you Samantha? First I dump my kid on
you and now you are giving me hope that I will be around to watch her
grow up. Brad, I'd say you have a pretty special wife here.”

“You don't have to tell me, old pal. Other than your
health, how has your life been these last few years? It seems time
has a way of slipping away.”

“It's been great. Mallory disappeared after the baby
was born,” Woody said as he glanced toward Samantha. “That's
Maggie's mother. We lived together when she was carrying Maggie, but
that was only so I could keep an eye on her and make sure she wasn't
harming the baby in any way. I paid her to stay well and she earned
an extra bonus for a healthy baby. I know some day I will have to be
honest with Maggie about the kind of woman her mother was. I thought
maybe I would be able to avoid telling her the truth by dying, but
you two changed that,” he laughed.

“She certainly loves her daddy. I'm sure you have
been a good father to her, Woody,” said Samantha.

“Where are you staying while you are in town? We have
plenty of room here. Last night I thought it was better for Maggie
to sleep in the guest room, but she and Daisy are getting along so
well, I'm sure the girls will be fine sleeping in the same room. You
may use the guest bedroom.”

“I've imposed on you enough. I noticed a motel just
outside of town. Maggie and I will stay there tonight and I'll keep
my appointment with your father tomorrow.”

“I won't hear of it. You are staying here with us.
How about some dinner? We have leftovers or I can fix you a sandwich
if you would prefer.”

“I have to admit, I'm a little hungry. I haven't been
able to eat since I dropped Maggie off here yesterday.”

The movie was almost over when Maggie turned to look
toward the den. She could see that the light was no longer shining
through the crack under the door. “Daddy!” she shouted. “Daddy,
where are you?”

Woody came running out of the kitchen. “I'm here
baby,” he put his arms around her.

“I thought you went away again,” she walked back to
the living room and watched the end of the movie with the others.

“What have I done to my daughter? She is scared to
death I will leave her. I hope the doctors can fix me up.”

Samantha and Brad both went to Joe's office with Woody.
They were afraid he may change his mind if they let him go alone.
Samantha guessed correctly that he had developed a fear of doctors
since his last encounter with a doctor was when he heard one tell his
mother he was going to die soon.

Brad recalled that Woody was always one to take chances.
“He seemed to be tempting fate. For a time when we were
roommates, he brought home a different girl almost every night. I
believe that all changed when Mallory announced she was expecting his
child. He mentioned last night that he hadn't been with a woman
since Maggie was born. It sounds like he has devoted his life to
her. That's why it still doesn't make sense that he wouldn't see a
doctor. I don't have a heart condition but I do know the strides
that have been made in that area.”

“His mind may have shut off any information that could
help him because he was convinced it wouldn't change the outcome.
That doctor did a number on him but the poor man probably believed
what he told Woody's mother,” said Samantha.

“Woody, I'm going to send you to Dr. Raymond at the
heart clinic on the first floor. He has time for you now. He's a
good man. He'll be running a battery of tests, I'm sure. He will be
honest with you about your condition,” said Dr. Joe.

“Samantha, your dad is a nice guy but I didn't realize
what a fear of doctors I have. Now I'm going to another. I don't
suppose you will let me escape from here?”

“Not on your life. Dr. Raymond is very nice. I've
known him since I was a kid. I know you are afraid Brad, but just
think of walking Maggie down the aisle one day. That should spur you
on to get to the bottom of your heart trouble.”

“Brad, you married a very persuasive woman.”

Dr. Raymond arranged for several tests for Woody. When
the results were available, he told Woody his findings. He
recommended surgery to replace his heart valves that had been damaged
from the rheumatic fever. He told him it would be necessary for him
to take medication for the rest of his life, but his prognosis was
good.

“You mean I'm not going to die, Doc?”

“There are no guarantees, Woody, but I believe with
surgery and medication, you will be with us for many years to come.”

He explained the surgery in detail but Woody couldn't
concentrate. He couldn't wait to get back to Maggie and give her a
hug.

“Whatever I have to do, Doc. I'll do it.”

The surgery was scheduled for the following morning.
Samantha was happy they were able to take care if it so quickly. She
was afraid if Woody thought about it, he may change his mind.

The surgery was successful, but Woody didn't feel any
better. He woke up in the recovery room and wondered if he would
ever feel good again. Something was in his throat and he couldn't
speak. He heard a pleasant voice calling his name. He tried to tell
her to take that thing out of his mouth. He couldn't see her but
heard her say it had to stay in a while longer but he would feel so
much better once he was able to breath without it. He wanted to
reach up and yank it out himself but he couldn't move his arms. He
felt himself drifting off again and then blessed sleep came once
more.

Maggie was aware her father was having a very serious
operation. Samantha knew she was trying to be brave.

“She won't be able to see her daddy until he is out of
intensive care,” she said to Jillian Slater. Jillian was a good
friend of Samantha's. They had gone through nursing school together.
She would be one of the nurses taking care of Woody when he was
assigned a room in the cardiac unit.

Samantha was hopeful her friend and Woody would hit it
off. “Don't you think they would make a wonderful couple?” she
asked Brad.

“Is Jillian interested in a relationship? Last I
heard she had sworn off men after she found out the pharmaceutical
salesman was married.”

“That was six months ago. She had her doubts about
him right from the beginning. Woody is lonely, he just doesn't
realize how lonely he is. Yes, I think they will make a wonderful
couple.” Samantha smiled.

The critical days passed and Woody was moved out of
intensive care. After getting him settled, Jillian told him he had a
visitor. Maggie poked her head around the corner not sure what she
would see.

“Hi Daddy,” she called out and ran to his side.
“Jillian said I have to be careful because you have a bad sore on
your chest.”

“I'm not too sore to get a hug from my best girl,”
he said.

She stood by his side holding his hand. She wasn't sure
what to make of all the tubes going into his body. Jillian explained
everything to her in a way a little girl could understand. Maggie
left with a smile on her face. Woody could hear her say to the
nurses at the desk that her daddy was going to be alright because
Jillian was helping him.

“You seem to have captured my daughter's heart,”
Woody said.

“She is a very special little girl. She has been very
worried about you. Samantha has been working hard to convince her
you were going to be alright. It's difficult for a child to
understand that their parent is safe when they can't see them. I can
see the relief on her face.”

“How much longer until they spring me from this
joint?” he said.

“Only a few days. Samantha said you were going to be
staying with her while you recuperate. Dr. Roberts has asked me to
look in on you when that time comes. Would you mind having me hang
around to keep an eye on you?”

Woody looked into Jillian's eyes, he was beginning to
realize what a pretty girl his nurse was. He must have been sicker
than he thought if he was just beginning to notice her.

Dr. Roberts walked into the room. Woody could feel the
perspiration forming on his forehead. Dr. Roberts noticed it too.
“Still don't like doctors, huh Woody?”

“Sorry, Doc. I know you saved my life and I'm
grateful to you for that.”

“Maybe it's the stethoscope, I'll set it over here out
of sight.” The doctor placed his stethoscope on the table by the
entry where Woody couldn't see it. “There, is that better?”

“Yes, that's amazing. I guess it isn't you, maybe
it's just seeing the stethoscope. I wonder why I don't have that
reaction when Jillian puts that thing on my chest.”

“Maybe you are distracted by her. After all, you are
still a man.”

Jillian could feel her face heating up.

“I think, in time, you may get over your fear of
doctors. You are going to be seeing them at least once a year from
now on. Woody, you are doing nicely. You will have to take it easy
for awhile. I'd rather you weren't alone during the day when you are
discharged to Samantha and Brad's home. If you have no objection, I
would like Jillian to provide home care for you.”

“I can't imagine why I would object. Just as long as
she doesn't make me use a bed pan, we will get along just fine.”

“I'll agree to that,” Jillian laughed.

Each day Woody felt better. He liked all the nurses,
but he found himself looking forward to morning when Jillian would
begin her shift. He made sure he was up and out of bed, showered and
shaved before 7:00 each morning.

Jillian and Maggie had become good pals. They both
walked down the hall with Woody when it was time for him to exercise.
Maggie had questions about everything she saw in the hospital room.
Jillian took the time to carefully explain everything to her.
Woody's doctor ordered some follow up testing. Maggie was waiting
for him to return and sat on his bed pretending she was the patient.

“Jillian?” she said quietly. “May I ask you a
question?”

“Of course you may, Maggie, you may ask me anything.”

She picked up her father's chart and said, “Does it
say in here where my Mama is?”

It was the last thing Jillian expected to hear coming
from the little girl. Samantha told her about Mallory and her plan
for an abortion until Woody stopped her. She wondered what Woody had
told her about her mother and if she had any business discussing it
with the child.

“Maggie, I want to answer your question, but I don't
know how. Would it be alright with you if I talk with your daddy
first?”

“I don't think he knows where she is. I asked him one
time and he said he didn't know where she went. I thought he was mad
at me for asking so I didn't ask him again. Everybody has a mother
except me. I think she didn't love me.”

“If she knew you, Maggie, she would love you.”
Jillian hoped she hadn't said too much, but the heartbreak on
Maggie's face was more than Jillian could bear.

Woody was wheeled back into the room. “Hello you two.
Did you miss me? I missed you. Both of you,” he said.

Brad came by to pick up Maggie. She hugged her father
and Jillian goodbye. Woody noticed his daughter and his nurse seemed
to have formed a bond.

“Woody, are you up for a serious discussion?”
Jillian said after Brad and Maggie left.

“Are you going to ask me to marry you? If so, my
answer is yes.”

“This is serious Woody. Maggie asked me about her
mother. She seemed to think there was information about her in your
chart. I know this isn't my business, but Maggie has made it my
business. I do know Maggie's mother has not been a part of her life.
Woody, she is eight years old, she wants to know why she doesn't
have a mother like the other children. I won't lie to her, but I
don't feel it's my place to tell her the whole story.”

“I knew this day would come. She asked me about her
mother one time and I evaded her question. I know it was wrong to do
that, but I hoped having a father that loves her would be enough.”

“It's good that she has you. You haven't asked my
opinion, but I think being honest with a child is the best thing for
them.”

“How can I tell Maggie her mother wanted to abort her?
That I had to pay the woman to bring a healthy child into the world.
That she never wanted to see Maggie or hold her. How can I tell my
daughter that?”

“The details aren't important. You explain that her
mother never saw her, that she never held her that she didn't know
her because if she had, she wouldn't have left her. You tell her her
mother wasn't able to care for her and wanted the best for her so she
gave her to you. You are her father and you love her more than
anything or anyone in the world and you always will. Someday when
she is a grown woman and asks questions, you can fill in the details.
With your love and support through the years, I'm betting she will
be able to accept what you tell her.”

“How did I ever get so lucky to have you come into my
life? It sounds so simple when you say it. Would you be willing to
be here when I tell Maggie about her mother?”

“Of course, now how about a stroll around the floor
before your dinner arrives?”

The next afternoon, when Maggie came for a visit, Woody
told her exactly what Jillian suggested.

“Maggie was thoughtful for a moment and said, “I'm
glad you aren't mad at me for asking about my mama. Jillian told me
she would love me if she knew me. I think I would love her too. I
wish Jillian could be my mama. Can she Daddy? I really like her and
she can take care of you.”

“Jillian lives in Camden Corners and we live in
Boston, Maggie. That's awfully far away.”

“I like Camden Corners, Daddy. I don't want to go
back to Boston. Can we stay, please?”

“Jillian, it's been six weeks since my surgery.
Maggie is happy here and school will be starting next week. I can't
impose on Samantha and Brad any longer than I already have. I'm
thinking of staying here in Camden Corners. I don't mind giving up
my job, I don't think the corporate world was ever what I really
wanted.”

“What do you think you want to do, Woody?” Jillian
said trying not to act excited about the possibility of him staying
in town.

“I'd like to teach school. I have always liked
history. I checked with the university and it wouldn't take much to
get my degree in teaching.”

“I don't want to be nosy, but do you have enough money
to stop working and go to school?” Jillian asked.